Muhnee Jaleel Bailey, Possession of a Firearm as a Felon, Minnesota 2022

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – A Minneapolis man with a history of violent crime is facing federal charges after a brazen attempt to flee from police revealed a loaded handgun hidden in his vehicle. Muhnee Jaleel Bailey, 23, is accused of illegally possessing a firearm, a charge carrying significant penalties given his extensive criminal record.

The incident unfolded on November 17, 2022, when Minneapolis Police officers spotted Bailey exiting his car at an AutoZone store. A clear view into the vehicle exposed an extended magazine protruding from beneath the driver’s seat – a telltale sign of a concealed weapon. As officers approached Bailey upon his exit from the store, he bolted, initiating a foot chase.

After a short pursuit, Bailey was apprehended, and a subsequent search of his vehicle yielded a Glock, Model 30, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Bailey’s past, however, makes simple possession of the weapon a federal offense. Court documents reveal prior felony convictions in Ramsey County, including a drive-by shooting and, disturbingly, possession of a machinegun.

These convictions permanently prohibit Bailey, under federal law, from possessing any firearms or ammunition. He is now formally indicted on one count of possession of a firearm as a felon. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) spearheaded the investigation, working in conjunction with the Minneapolis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp is leading the prosecution, a case that will likely draw scrutiny given Bailey’s history. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Andrew M. Luger, is pursuing the charges vigorously. It’s a familiar pattern in a city grappling with gun violence and repeat offenders.

It’s crucial to remember that an indictment represents an accusation, not proof of guilt. Bailey is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. However, his prior convictions paint a troubling picture, and the feds are determined to keep this gun off the streets. The St. Paul Field Division of the ATF played a key role in building the case.

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